SUNNY SURVIVES ROAD RAGE TO BATTLE BILLABONG PRO
Peking Duck Surfboards O/B Benpat International
SUNNY SURVIVES ROAD RAGE TO BATTLE BILLABONG PRO
Hawaiian Sunny Garcia survived a case of Californian road rage to return to
the water and contest this week's Billabong Pro on the Gold Coast of
Australia. After three weeks out of the water recovering from plastic
surgery to a shattered cheek bone, Garcia, 29, overcame fellow Hawaiian
Conan Hayes in round two today to stay in contention.
Garcia, who recently moved from the Hawaiian Islands to California, was on
his way home on a Southern Californian freeway one night when he
encountered trouble on the road. After pulling into a gas station, Garcia
was beaten, sustaining major injury to his face including a broken nose and
fractured eye socket. During his convalescence, Garcia lost 20 pounds.
The loss of weight worked in his favor today, assisting him to get the most
out of the solid 3-4 feet Cabarita point break waves, getting the better of
a light-framed Hayes. Garcia is now through to the third round after only
his second surf since the ordeal occurred.
"I didn't want any hassles, so I pulled off into a gas station," said
Garcia. "Next thing I know I was getting smashed.
"I broke my cheek bone and a piece of bone was broken in my eye socket. My
face has been swollen every morning since it happened, but it's getting
better now."
1998 Billabong Pro runner-up Pat O'Connell, of California, was back to his
best today, picking up with the same form that saw him rise to a career
high of 11th in the world last season. Up against traveling buddy C.J.
Hobgood, O'Connell appeared to find a comfortable rhythm with the better
waves of the heat to eclipse his opponent by more than five points.
It was during the Billabong Pro last year that O'Connell found the most
successful form of his eight year career, blitzing his way through to the
final against world champion Kelly Slater but losing the heat that mattered
most. If he can maintain his momentum this week, he will be looking to save
a bit of his best for last.
The Brazilian contingent made their force known in the second round today,
with four heats in a row seeing the South Americans down their
international opposition. It started with Sao Paulo's Renan Rocha who
cruised by Australian rookie Chris Davidson. Newcomer Cristiano Spirro
followed up with a whitewash over former world number two Shane Powell,
sending the Australian packing after a loss of more than seven points.
Fabio Gouveia returned to the G-SHOCK ASP World Championship Tour with a
vengeance, bringing about another seven point victory over Hawaiian
sensation Andy Irons.
"Andy has been surfing very well over the past year and I knew it was going
to be a tough heat," said Garcia. "But I'm very happy to be back on the WCT
tour and I'd like to get a good result in the first event of the year."
Armando Daltro was the last Brazilian to score a win for the day, gaining
the edge over Todd Prestage (Australia).
South African rookie Greg Emslie lived up to his giant-killing reputation
today, posting one of the highest scores of the round - 22.35 out of 30
points - over world number eight ranked Peterson Rosa (Brazil). Emslie
joins the World Championship Tour after a sensational 1998 World Qualifying
Season which earmarked him as a real mover and shaker within the Top 44
ranks.
Competition will continue at Cabarita Beach tomorrow as organisers make the
most of a decreasing swell. While there are nine days remaining within the
waiting period, there is not much on the horizon in the way of solid waves.
RESULTS
MEN'S ROUND TWO - 1st to round 3, 2nd eliminated in =33rd position
H1: Kelly Slater (USA) 22.75 dft David Rastovich (Aust) 12.75
H2: Michael Campbell (Aust) 23.90 dft Sasha Stocker (Aust) 21.40
H3: Daniel Wills (Aust) 21.65 dft Mark Bannister (Aust) 13.75
H4: Bryan Hewitson (USA) 18.60 dft Shane Beschen (USA) 18.55
H5: Sunny Garcia (Haw) 21.85 dft Conan Hayes (Haw) 19.25
H6: Greg Emslie (SAfr) 22.35 dft Peterson Rosa (Brz) 22.35
H7: Pat O'Connell (USA) 20.50 dft C.J. Hobgood (USA) 15.00
H8: Renan Rocha (Brz) 21.10 dft Chris Davidson (Aust) 20.25
H9: Cristiano Spirro (Brz) 21.50 dft Shane Powell (Aust) 14.60
H10: Fabio Gouveia (Brz) 23.25 dft Andy Irons (Haw) 16.25
H11: Armando Daltro (Brz) 20.80 dft Todd Prestage (Aust) 20.50
H12: Luke Hitchings (Aust) 21.60 dft Kaipo Jaquias (Haw) 21.15
H13: John Shimooka (Haw) 22.50 dft Victor Ribas (Brz) 21.90
H14: Beau Emerton (Aust) 23.25 dft Kalani Robb (Haw) 16.25
H15: Shane Bevan (Aust) 19.25 dft Richard Lovett (Aust) 17.40
H16: Michael Barry (Aust) 20.25 dft Tim Curran (USA) 18.25
Napalm Ž
Peking Duck Surfboards O/B Benpat International wrote in message
>South African rookie Greg Emslie lived up to his giant-killing
reputation
>today, posting one of the highest scores of the round - 22.35 out of 30
>points - over world number eight ranked Peterson Rosa (Brazil). Emslie
>joins the World Championship Tour after a sensational 1998 World
Qualifying
>Season which earmarked him as a real mover and shaker within the Top 44
>ranks.
Watch out for our man Greg. He's the only non Brazil-USA-Aus top 44er
this year. I hope he kicks some butt.
Napalm
Gamivia
>Garcia, who recently moved from the Hawaiian Islands to California, was on
>his way home on a Southern Californian freeway one night when he
>encountered trouble on the road. After pulling into a gas station,
>Garcia
>was beaten, sustaining major injury to his face including a broken nose and
>fractured eye socket.
Well someone worked over, Sunny eh?
Anyone know the rest of the story?
Gamivia Duke, Esq.
Los Angeles Kelp Patrol
"APE SHALL NOT KILL APE"